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Kelpie's Stane

Natural Rock Feature

Also known as:
  • Kelpie Stone

Nearest Town:Ballater (16km SE)
OS Ref (GB):   NJ264087 / Sheet: 37
Latitude:57° 9' 47.79" N
Longitude:   3° 13' 1.4" W

Added by Paulus


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Folklore

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Once when the River Don was in flood, a man needed to cross it to attend a relative's deathbed. The river had a resident Kelpie, a dangerous water-spirit which could, however, appear helpless or even helpful. This creature appeared and offered to carry the traveller across the swollen stream; the man agreed, but when they got to the middle of the river the Kelpie tried to drown him. Luckily he managed to escape and scrambled up onto the riverbank. Baulked of his prey, the angry Kelpie threw a large boulder after him, which still rests on the bank and is still known as the Kelpie's Stane.

The Lore of Scotland : A Guide To Scottish Legends

Westwood & Kingshill
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
2nd January 2024ce
Edited 2nd January 2024ce

"Somewhere near Dinnet was the Kelpie Stone. Childless women passed through its 18 inch (46cm) hole to concieve. A noble lady performed the task to no avail; only when she repeated it in the same direction as the river flow did the charm work."

MacPherson's Primitive Beliefs.
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
19th December 2009ce